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Hi-

I've needed a new alternator for a while and I'm finally starting to get my money up to purchase some upgrades. My 2000 Volvo S40 has a small alternator in a cramped engine compartment so most companies don't make alternators for it. DC Power and Ohio generator will make something for me, but I'm not sure which is the best scenario. I have an IA 40.1 (3600+ rms) and RF T4004 elite (~100x4).

DC power quoted me ~$800-900 for a 270XP alternator. ~200 amps at idle, 270 max. This would be fine for my current system, but it's quite pricy and I could not buy new batteries this summer.

Ohio generator quoted me ~$350-450 for a ~120A at idle (my stock max), and 200A max. Since this costs a bit less, I would replace both of my batteries with some XS power batteries (not sure which yet).

Which option seems more stable for a daily system? Let me know if I forgot any info.

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Hmm

Your s40 and my v40 have the same engine etc.

I talked to dc and they said they currently didn't have any alts for our vehicle. But that they could make one in at least 6 months.

So did dc say they had an alt or could make it?

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Hmm

Your s40 and my v40 have the same engine etc.

I talked to dc and they said they currently didn't have any alts for our vehicle. But that they could make one in at least 6 months.

So did dc say they had an alt or could make it?

I called them quite a while ago and they said they could do it. I can't tell you definitively, but I think I remember my dad saying they made some revisions after the first model (2000). Even so, I just looked and they are definitely the same alternator stock. Maybe they made a mistake with me I don't know. If that's the case, then I'll be going with the Ohio Generator alternator. They told me they could make it (did not give me a timeframe at the time, but didn't warn me about a long wait or anything). They also made it sound like that is why it was going to be so costly.

I can wait if the Ohio Generator alternator is not sufficient, but I'm hoping to get some opinions so I can make a more informed decision.

Edited by ulrisa

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Well im definitely interested to see what happens.

I need to get a alt soon too, and I have a dc alt sitting in my room. So im waiting til they can make a new case...

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Have you contacted Mechman or Excessive Amperage? I have been very impressed with both companies.

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Have you contacted Mechman or Excessive Amperage? I have been very impressed with both companies.

I've read so many horror stories about EA products... :peepwall:

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Have you contacted Mechman or Excessive Amperage? I have been very impressed with both companies.

I contacted Mechman and XS Power and neither of them carried anything for my vehicle. I haven't called excessive amperage yet, so I might give them a call and see what they have to offer. I've heard horror stories about them too, so I guess I'll have to keep that in mind.

Edited by ulrisa

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Have you contacted Mechman or Excessive Amperage? I have been very impressed with both companies.

I've read so many horror stories about EA products... :peepwall:

Have you contacted Mechman or Excessive Amperage? I have been very impressed with both companies.

I contacted Mechman and XS Power and neither of them carried anything for my vehicle. I haven't called excessive amperage yet, so I might give them a call and see what they have to offer. I've heard horror stories about them too, so I guess I'll have to keep that in mind.

I did not know that. I and friends of mine have had good luck with them. I'm still looking for alternator options. Instead of doing a high output. I want to get a dual bracket with two oem alternators. Good luck with whatever you decide. With your two options, I would do the bigger alternator first and then add some batteries as you can.

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I've just read TONs of threads about people saying their EA alt has terrible voltage and amperage at idle, worse then stock.

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Well I called up Excessive Amperage and he told me he could do $385 shipped for 200A Max ~130A idle. This sounds good, but I'm still hesitant to order... I've been browsing around to read more about them, I really don't want to order it and regret it later.

Thanks for that suggestion, I wouldn't even have considered it otherwise. Now I just have more options to choose from lol.

If I go with EA or Ohio Gen. I'll be getting whatever the max size battery from XS power I can fit in the front. Right now I have a G34 in there but I think I can go larger. Eventually I will get one for the trunk as well.

If I go with DC Power, I most likely can't get newer batteries until next year because I can't make that much money until I get out of college :(.

I feel that upgrading my batteries (old D34/78 yellow top, C&D High Rate Max) to a big XS Power battery would help a great deal. I'm leaning towards the cheaper options so I can do this soon... Does this seem like a good idea?

I'm going to give DC another call just to see if they really can make my alternator within a reasonable time frame.

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Well I called up Excessive Amperage and he told me he could do $385 shipped for 200A Max ~130A idle. This sounds good, but I'm still hesitant to order... I've been browsing around to read more about them, I really don't want to order it and regret it later.

Thanks for that suggestion, I wouldn't even have considered it otherwise. Now I just have more options to choose from lol.

If I go with EA or Ohio Gen. I'll be getting whatever the max size battery from XS power I can fit in the front. Right now I have a G34 in there but I think I can go larger. Eventually I will get one for the trunk as well.

If I go with DC Power, I most likely can't get newer batteries until next year because I can't make that much money until I get out of college :(.

I feel that upgrading my batteries (old D34/78 yellow top, C&D High Rate Max) to a big XS Power battery would help a great deal. I'm leaning towards the cheaper options so I can do this soon... Does this seem like a good idea?

I'm going to give DC another call just to see if they really can make my alternator within a reasonable time frame.

Let me know what comes of it.

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Been waiting a month for my alt from ohio gen. From what i heard from the guy building my alt its been crazy busy for them.

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